This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Brakes failed on my 1999 Chevrolet Silverado in September of 2012 as I approached a four way intersection. I was unable to stop the truck and went right through the intersection. Fortunately, the intersection was in a rural area and there were no other cars around or there would have been no way to have avoided an awful accident. Chevrolet dealer said the rear brakes line had failed and fabricated a stainless steel brake line to replace the original. The incident cost me $1500 to replace the brake lines. The Silverado had approximately 90,000 miles on it at the time. In another report to the NHTSA, I reported that the front brake lines had failed about five years earlier and resulted in another horrifying inability to stop the Silverado.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 28 mph and approaching a red light, the vehicle would not stop or slow down when applying the brakes. The contact stated that the vehicle drove through a busy intersection nearly crashing into two oncoming vehicles. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into park. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the brake lines under were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 107,000. Updated 2/27/14 the consumer stated the main front and back brake system lines coming from the master cylinder were corroded and had ruptured. The consumer indicated that the car had been garage kept and was in great condition. The vehicle was repaired. The consumer saved all removed lines for investigation.
- Royal Oak , MI, USA
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The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the brake lines were rusted. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was unavailable.
Driving home last night when I approached the driveway, the brake pedal went to the floor. Brake fluid was running down the gas tank. Further inspection this morning indicated the line had burst just above the tank from corrosion. All steel lines are rusted and need to be replaced. Also the frame is rusting so bad it looks like the pictures of the titanic.
Had to replace brake lines all the way to master cylinder and fuel lines from extensive corrosion. Also, throughout the frame and mounting brackets for shocks and leaf springs. Abnormal rust for any vehicle that was washed and taken care of accordingly.
On my driveway, I applied my brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Brake fluid poured from below the truck behind the driver's door. Inspection underneath revealed a brake line had burst. All brake lines mounted to the frame forward of the ABS unit are severely corroded and will need to be replaced.
I was driving to work when I came to a stop sign I applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor the truck slowed very little I had to pull off the road to avoid hitting the car in front of me. The mechanic replaced one corroded brake line that burst. The truck stopped good for a month. The next incident happened when I went to back out of my driveway I applied the brake and the pedal went to the floor board and it would not stop at all I rolled into the street and rolled to a stop, brake fluid was everywhere another brake line corroded and burst two of my neighbors pushed the truck back in the driveway and it has sat there for last three months hoping for Chevy to recall. I called the Chevy dealer and explained the problem they told me that was impossible and that the truck is designed to stop even if a brake line fails. They are wrong!!! I guess it will take a bunch of wrongful death lawsuits before they wake up. From what I'm reading from other Chevy owners they feel the way I do, losing faith in Chevy! I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I knew people could die using one of my products. After it's repaired I will trade it for a Ford truck and still feel guilty whoever buys it may be injured or killed.
After a sudden stop due to tailgate falling down and cargo in the back falling out I reloaded the cargo and started down the road. When trying to stop further down the road, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor without stopping the vehicle. I coasted to a side road and eventually stopped. Looked under the hood and saw brake fluid sprayed all over the front of the engine compartment due to a failed brake line. Repair shop indicated front brake line had rusted through and that all brake lines were very rusty and needed replacement.
ABS activates when stopping at slow speeds, greatly increasing stopping distance. I quoted GM safety bulletin number 05068C to the local dealer, and was told it does not apply to my VIN. Dealer could not provide info on why my VIN is excluded.
I drove my truck earlier in the morning, to run an errand. I returned home, and after about an hour I headed back out. As I was backing out of my driveway, I noticed the brake pedal felt soft. I drove down one house and applied the brake again, and the pedal went to the floor. Upon returning to the house, I observed a puddle in the driveway, and upon investigation under the truck, saw fluid had been leaking from corroded lines under the drivers side of the cab. I took my wife's vehicle to work and did some research. I found that this has happened quite a bit to Silverado owners. I had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic and am waiting to hear what the bill is going to run. Regardless of what the bill runs, I am thankful there were no kids running around in the neighborhood, as it was a school day, and that I was not on I-95 when the brakes failed. This could have ended much worse. The fact that the truck is paid off is only going to keep me from buying a new vehicle, (I'm thinking Ford?) for so long if the issues keep up.
My home is the last one on a dead end road. When applying the brake to turn into the drive, the driver side brake line burst by the caliper. The truck carried my wife, son and myself into a 200 ft. Deep ravine as a result of this. The truck had just been tuned up for a trip to nashville tn. If this would have happened in the mountains, I wouldn't be alive today. After repairing the truck, the passenger side brake line burst as the new brakes were being bled. Both calipers needed replaced as well, due to falling apart from rust. Bleeder screws completely rusted in half, rubber brake hoses bursting, metal brake lines rusting and springing leaks everywhere, and still no recall? GM should have to pay for these repairs at the very least. I myself, still have to figure out how to deal with my newly fused spine due to this accident.
I was traveling down hill on a four lane road, two lanes oncoming traffic when a vehicle in front of me brake suddenly. I applied the brakes, but my foot pushed the pedal down to the bottom of its travel. The vehicle slowed down enough that so that I avoided colliding with the vehicle in front of me. With the help of an auto mechanic, it was determined that the brakes failed because the brake lines had completely rusted out. I had all of the brake lines (front and rear) replaced by an independent mechanic. Currently the vehicle runs fine but there are some issues with the ABS locking up in 4 wheel mode (not sure if the brake line failure is the cause). Note: Did not report this incident to the authorities because there was no resultant accident.
Went out to get into my truck to go to work. We had just had a snow storm and when I backed out of my drive I got stuck trying to get to the street. I went to put the truck into drive from reverse. So I hit the brakes so that I could shift into drive and when I hit the brakes they went to the floor. I tried pumping them with no success. So I pulled the truck back into the drive and noticed a big puddle of brake fluid under the truck. I parked it and drove my Tahoe to work. Came home from work that day and pulled the truck into the garage and looked underneath to see what had caused the issue. I found all the brake lines had just crumbled to pieces. Thankfully I was not on the highway or in heavy traffic when this failure occurred. I have ordered a prevent stainless steel replacement set to replace all the brake lines with. This is clearly an issue GM must deal with.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact noticed a noise coming from under the hood while parked. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the anti-braking motor remained in operation while the engine was powered off. The contact disconnected the battery in order to power off the anti-braking motor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the anti-braking motor would have to be replaced. Some time later while the contact was driving approximately 5 mph and depressing the brakes, the brakes would not respond. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was included and previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 00V345000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). They would not provide any assistance in repairing the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact was driving approximately 5 mph when the brakes were applied and they abnormally traveled to the floorboard. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brake lines were corroded, which would require replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact replaced the brake lines himself. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 280,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph she noticed a burning smell and a grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed the rear brakes were smoking. The vehicle was taken to the independent dealer where the contact purchased the vehicle a day prior for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the rear brakes were replaced. After the repair the brakes continued to smoke. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed the vehicle was purchased as it was and no further assistance would be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000. Updated 12/21/12 updated 1/9/2013
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- North Stonington, CT, USA